Practices of Quality Enhancement Cells in Implementation of Quality Management Trilogy in Universities of Islamabad

Abstract

Higher Education Commission (HEC) has established quality enhancement cells (QECs) in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Keeping in view the importance of QEC, this study aims to explore the initiatives taken by QECs in implementation of the components of quality management trilogy; identify the problems faced by QECs in implementing the quality management trilogy; and determine the efforts of QECs in improving the university ranking. Sample of the study consists of Directors of twelve QECs, one hundred and forty-four Head of the Departments (HODs) and one hundred and forty-four QEC representatives. QEC directors were selected through universal sampling technique. Stratified random sampling technique was used to collect data from HODs and QEC representatives.  Close-ended questionnaire was used to collect data from HODs and QEC Representatives while the directors of QECs were interviewed. Thematic analysis was done to analyse the qualitative data whereas quantitative data were analysed by calculating percentages through SPSS version 21. The findings of the study show that QECs are implementing quality management trilogy but still lack the focus on all aspects of quality due to limited resources and communication gaps between QECs and the departments.